Nevada County Supervisors will discuss and hold a public hearing on Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, on a proposed Outdoor Events Ordinance regulating commercial venues in the residential, unincorporated areas of Nevada County.
The ordinance does not apply to property located within the city limits which are subject to city regulations. Sheriff Keith Royal says over the years, his office and County Supervisors have received complaints from neighbors, property owners and tourists about excessive noise, trespassing, traffic, parking, illegal campfires, trash, inadequate sanitation, and other impacts from commercial outdoor events. In January of 2013, the board asked staff to propose updates to the Ordinance to provide more effective enforcement tools and to create a mechanism by which wineries and other small businesses might hold occasional, temporary outdoor events such as weddings on their properties.
In September of last year, county staff presented revisions to the festival ordinance during a public board meeting and four subsequent revisions have been made.

The Recent revision to the ordinance –
– Defines a commercial outdoor event as one where a fee or other financial consideration is charged for participation in, admission to or use of property, or for the sale of goods and services at the event.

– Requires commercial events to obtain a permit from the Sheriff’s office.

– Limits properties to four permits per year.

– Exempts events at facilities which are properly permitted and constructed for outdoor events.

The proposed ordinance would allow the sheriff’s office to review each event on a case-by-case basis and impose reasonable event-specific conditions to protect public health and safety, and minimize impacts to neighbors.
Owners of parcels smaller than 5 acres will not be able to apply for a permit.

The Outdoor Events Ordinance is expected to be before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors shortly after 10 a.m.